Big Ten Football: 5 most important non-conference games in 2017

Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Marcus Allen (2) in right front tries to catch confetti in his mouth after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Penn State defeats Wisconsin 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 19, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate a win over the Michigan State Spartans after a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Oklahoma at Ohio State, Sept. 9

The Ohio State Buckeyes made the College Football Playoffs in 2016, but the feeling was rather bittersweet. The Clemson Tigers handed head coach Urban Meyer the first shutout of his career, 31-0, exposing a few chinks in the armor.

Quarterback J.T. Barrett returns in 2017 for his senior season along with defensive ends Tyquan Lewis and Sam Hubbard. With eight starters returning on offense and seven on defense, the Buckeyes are in a good position for next season.

They will need to replace three starters in the secondary, but depth at the position should help improve things rather quickly.

Barrett’s favorite targets, wide receiver Noah Brown and running back Curtis Samuel, are also gone. Both departed early for the NFL Draft.

On the bright side for Ohio State, they beat the Sooners 45-24 in Norman, Oklahoma. Barrett had 152 passing yards and four passing touchdowns in that game.

The Sooners will certainly have all of that on their mind when they come to town to face the Buckeyes. With both teams having College Football Playoff potential, the winner of this matchup takes on the advantage heading into respective conference play.

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